Manipulation resisting combination lock



y 1957 R. s. MURRAY .v 2,792,703

' MANIPULATION RESISTING COMBINATION LOCK Filed July 21, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR fioemrJMz/mnr BY l ATTORNEY May 21, 1957 R. s. MURRAY 2,7 ,703

MAN-IPULATION RESISTING COMBINATION LOCK Filed July 21. 1949 v 2 Shets-Sheet 2 V INVENTOR Roster J/Vumaqr ATTORNEY United States Patent 2,7 92,703 MANIPULATION RESIfIkING COMBINATION L0 Robert S. Murray, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application July 21, 1949, Serial No. 106,023

21 Claims. (Cl. 70-314) This invention relates to an improved combination lock for installation in safes, file cabinets, doors, vault doors, and the like. The improved lock is also useful on other types of containers where good and exceptional security is desired or demanded.

One of the desires of this improved invention is to provide a combination lock that will prevent surreptitious entry by manipulation of the dial on the outside of the lock. in carrying out this desire, a self-contained manipulation resisting combination lock is provided in which all of the assembled internal working parts are so constructed and assembled that they cannot be changed or modified sufiiciently to change their functioning or their tolerances, clearances or shapes by any manual force applied on the outer dial or ring of the lock, and which applied manual force would not leave marks that could be detected by others.

The improved invention herein includes a modified combination lock structure which automatically cooperates and controls the positioning of the various portions of the improved lock so that in any attempted manipulation of the lock the relative positions of the tumbler gatings to any fence therein cannot be detected from any given point.

The improved invention further pertains to the operation of the lock in a manner that makes it of high security value and that practically prevents any highly skilled and practiced individuals from detecting the combinations of the tumblers which allow the opening of the lock.

One of the features of the present invention pertains to an automatic control unit which cooperates with the moving parts of the lock to automatically function to maintain a fence or bolt operating member in a very definite position in relation to the tumblers of the lock until the proper unlocking arrangement of the tumblers has been made.

Another of the features of this invention is to provide a manipulation resisting combination lock in which there are assembled at least two fences, and a series of tumblers, which have at least two gatings in each.

The invention also provides for an improved fence construction that readily cooperates and functions with modified types of gatings in the lock tumblers.

Another feature of this improved invention is the provision of tumblers of novel construction, wherein one of the gatings in each tumbler extends only part way across the width of the tumbler and which gating receives a portion of the fence which moves the lock bolt when withdrawing the bolt. Another portion of each of the tumblers is provided with a relatively small and shallow gating that receives under proper tumbler relationship, a helping or auxiliary fence thereby to assist the automatic control unit to become operative and carry out its controlling mission.

A further feature of the invention particularly refers to improved structure of one of the fences so that in its movement out of the gatings of the tumblers that the tumblers will be moved different distances circumferentially in respect to each other, thereby stepping or disbursing the gatings relative to each other so that a second fence cannot be thrown back into its own gatings in each of the tumblers until the lock combination has again been reset.

In prior lock constructions the spindle operated by the ial on the outside of the lock rotates a cam or driving wheel and a gear while simultaneously setting the tumblers to align the tumbler gatings relatively to a fence. During those operations the fence is at all times in frictional engagement with a gear that is geared. relatively to the spindle driven gear. Therefore, at all times that the spindle driven gear is rotated, in either of opposed directions, it will tend to rotate the fence in either of opposed directions. Through long practice certain individuals have learned that by setting the tumblers in various positions, and then rotating the fence so as to bring it forcibly against the tumblers through the frictional drive just described, the particular locations of the tumbler gatings may be detected. In this manner, it has been possible for highly skilled and practiced individuals to detect tumbler combinations.

The improved invention herein provides means for preventing the movement of the fence toward the tumbler gatings by rotation of the spindle in either direction until after the tumbler gatings have all been properly aligned relatively to the 'fence. This is accomplished by using an auxiliary fence that cannot be manipulated manually, but automatically moves to release the main fence for entry in to the tumbler gatings when the tumblers have been set into a predetermined combination.

Other features and advantages of the structure herein will be appreciated by the detailed description of the preferred structure shown in the drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the lock with the back cover removed therefrom and shows a control unit in looking engagement with one of the fences and the lock bolt extended from the body of the lock;

Fig. 3 is also an elevational view of the lock with the back cover removed and shows the control unit in another position and shows the lock bolt retracted into the lock;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view taken on line 44 of Fig. 3, showing operating gears, tumblers, and cross sections of operating portions of one of the fences;

Fig. 5 is a top plan View of the lock partially broken away and showing a sectional view of a portion of the lock taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side view of an added automatic control unit showing its position in holding a fence in definite door lock position and with a part. of the unit above one of the gatings in one of the tumblers;

Fig. 7 is a view like Fig. 6, with the control unit out of contact with one of the fences and a portion of the unit in one set of gatings in the tumblers thereby allowing the bolt to be unlocked;

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the parts or elements of the control unit shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7;

Fig. 9 is a front view of the elements of the control unit as assembled together and ready for assembly in a manipulation resisting combination lock;

Fig. 10 is a side view of one of the tumblers showing an enlarged gating and a small gating therein and showing a fiy carried by one tumbler and arranged to engage an adjacent tumbler so that the tumblers may be rotated into proper combination positions to permit the unlocking of the lock;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a fence showing an extension thereof which engages a part of the control unit, and shows a portion thereof slotted so as to have oper- Patented May 21, 1957 p ating fingers to enter the larger gatings in the tumblers; and

Fig. 12 is a modified form of the operating fence shown in Fig. 11 wherein the fingers are of different constructions operating to circumferentially move the various tumblers different circumferential distances from their normal combination positions.

In the preferred form of the modified manipulation resisting combination lock herein disclosed and described, there are. shown several constructions as examples, which constructions function'to provide a combination lock that, from any present knowledge, cannot be opened by manipulation of the outer dial, without the exertion of force which would break the lock.

In the preferred functioning of the main fence without the combination being set, the fence is automatically kept from engaging the edges or circumferences of the tumblers. When the predetermined lock combination has been set by having the tumblers moved to their predetermined positions wherein all of the main gatings are properly aligned, then a part of the control unit, by operation of the dial outside, will move out of contact with the main fence and this fence is then moved into the main gatings and operates to retract the locking bolt to its unlocked position. In the movement of the control unit the auxiliary or secondary fence, which usually forms a part of the control unit, moves into the smaller or secondary gatings in the tumblers and automatically retracts the holding part of the control unit from its engagement with the main fence, thereby freeing the main fence and allowing it to be moved into the gatings.

When the lock' is again to be operated to move the lock bolt to locking position, then the main fence moves out of the main gatings and in so doing kicks or steps or disburses the tumblers to different or greater or less distances from their combina ion set or release positions depending upon the structures of the fingers of the main fence and the structures of the tumblers. Thus, after the bolt has been moved to locked position, the tumblers have been moved out of their normal combination settings to a greater or less extent and then neither the main fence nor the auxiliary fence can be moved back into the main gatings or the auxiliary gatings, respectively, until the lock is thereafter reset to its predetermined combination.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the lock body 18 is provided with a cover 19 as illustrated in Fig. 1. The lock is shown as mounted on a door 26 or the front end of a safeor of a draweruof a file cabinet. The lock is provided with the usual lock bolt 21 here shown in locked position and engaging a :door jamb 22 or the body of a safe or the top of a file cabinet. The moving parts of the lock are moved by an operating shaft 23 which shaft has the usual dial (not shown) on its outer end for manipulation by the operator.

The improved lock herein is composed of a driving gear 24 turned by operating shaft 23, a driving wheel 26 firmly assembled with the driving gear 24 which gear also rotates gear 27 by the intermeshing of teeth 28 and 29, respectively. This gear 27 is mounted on shaft 3% and drives that shaft. A hub 31 is provided to properly assemble the gear 27. This shaft 30 carries a fence 32 which has a lug 33 engaging a cut away portion 34 of the locking bolt. This fence is also provided with a fence extension 36 which is adapted to engage the main gatings in the usual lOC.( tumblers 37, 3d, .39 and it which in turn are freely mounted on the operating shaft 23.

Each of the tumblers is provided with a main gating 41, 42, 43 and 44. In normal operation the tum-blers 37 to 40 are brought to their predetermined combination, or release positions, and the fence extension 36 is moved into the gatings and in so doing the locking bolt 21 recedes or isrnoved back into the lock.

The skilled lock manipulator has found that with a certain amount of feeling and hearing and turning the all] shaft '23 each direction to move the fence against the tumblers, he has been able to determine the combination settings of the tumblers by noting the readings on the dial of the lock when there are slight movements of the fence as the gatings come under the fence.

As noted above, one of the main features of the present lock is to resist the finding of the combination by any of the skilled lock manipulators. In so doing, any desirable type of apparatus or parts thereof which function to keep the fence and the tumblersfrom telling their stories by feel and sound, may be incorporated.

One of the desirable constructions for accomplishing this result is particularly shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7. This preferred structure, in general, provides for an additional sub-unit or control unit which definitely engages the fence and holds it away from the tumblers until the tumbler release positions have been reached. Such a selected control unit also provides for a part thereof to engage the tumblers. One form of a satisfactory control unit provides for portions thereof to engage both the fence and the tumblers, and its structure may be a single member, usually resilient to some extent, and mounted or pivoted so as to function when the lock is set to positively hold the fence away from the tumblers, and when the tumbler combination is set at release, the control member releases the fence so that it may fall or be moved into the gatings and the locking bolt withdrawn from lock position.

In the special form herein, the control unit is composed of an oscillating control member or arm or pant 56 suitably pivoted as on a stub shaft 57 and biased by spring 62 to have its hook end 59 engage the end of a quadrant or projection 60 as particularly shown in Figs. 2 and 6, thereby definitely holding the fence away from the tumblers. This control unit also includes a second part or auxiliary fence 61 also suitably mounted on the same stub shaft 57 and biased by spring 58 to have end 63 engage the tumblers when the driving wheel 26 permits. The springs 58 and 62 are suitably mounted as by being coiled about said stub shaft 57 with the ends of spring 58 hearing against the adjacent wall of the casing and the back side of the auxiliary fence 61 adjacent to said wall and with the ends of spring 62 bearing against said back side of the auxiliary fence 61 and the back side of the control member 56 adjacent to said wall. This part 61 is preferably provided with two ears or extensions 66 and 67, which normally engage and under certain conditions oscillate member 56 and function to remove hook 59 from quadrant 60. In the usual operation, the end 63 of the auxiliary fence 61 normally engages the circumference of driving wheel 26 and is pressed against it by the spring 58 and the lower end of spring 62. When this end 63 is aligned with the auxiliary gatings 68 in each tumbler and with the auxiliary gating in the driving wheel 26, the end 63 of the auxiliary fence 61 moves into the depths of the auxiliary gatings 68 and 70, and the cars 66 and 67 push the control member or arm 56 to the right in Fig. 6 releasing hook 59 from quadrant 61 This movement of the two cars 66 and 67 is gained by the action of spring 53 which moves 63 into the auxiliary gates as above described.

The upper end of spring 62 tends to hold the hook 59 in engagement with projection 69, as shown in Fig. 6. A further movement of the driving wheel 26 moves end 63 onto cam 72 to throw the auxiliary fence out of the auxiliary gates 68 and 70 and, therefore, moves cars 66 and 67 to the left allowing the upper end of spring 62 to move control arm 56 to the left, and after the auxiliary fence moves beyond cam 72, the control arm 56 and its hook 59 will again engage the qwadrant 60 and keep the main fence out of the main gatings in the tumblers. Thus, the control unit operates to maintain the fence away from the tumblers until the combination of the lock is set, and then the fence is released tomove into the main gates and to withdraw the locking bolt. Itwillbe noted that'oneendjof'spring 58 is long to'engage the hottom of the lock casing '18. If desired, however, this .spring may be shortened and engage the side wall of the casing 18.

It is preferred that the control unit be made of the two parts as noted and cooperate in their functions so that one part of the control unit, namely 61, never engages the fence but does cooperate with auxiliary gatings in the tumblers and automatically acts to release another part of the control unit, namely 56, to release the main fence. This auxiliary fence 61 is mounted so that it is non-operable manually, but automatically moves to carry out its function under certain conditions.

It will be noted, and it is preferred, in this particular construction that there be at least two fences, and at least two sets of gatings in the tumblers. The main gatings are sufiiciently wide to receive a relatively strong and sturdy fence, and the second or auxiliary gatings are preferred to be much smaller and usually are much shallower and only need to allow themovement of a part of the control unit a small amount so that a definite holding of the main fence may be released when the auxiliary gatings have received a part of the control unit.

In the construction herein, it 'is preferred that the driving wheel 26 shall be of a little larger diameter than the tumblers 37-40. This wheel has a main gating 69 and an auxiliary gating 70, Fig. 2, and is also provided with a small hump 71 as one form of means that functions to engage the fence to positively move it :away from the driving wheel and the tumblers.

The auxiliary gating 70 is of relative length in respect to other gatings in the tumblers and has a sharp cam surface auxiliary gatings 68 are in line, the end or auxiliary fence 63 will drop into the auxiliary gatings and move the oscillating arm member 56 of the control unit to the right. A further movement of the operating shaft 23 will cause the end 63 of the second part of the control unit to ride the relative sharp cam 72 and release the end 63 from the auxiliary gatings in the tumblers. This relatively quick movement of the part 61 during the beginning of the movement of the lock bolt allows the various tumblers to move from their normal release position enough so that the auxiliary fence 63 cannot be again moved into the auxiliary gatings in the tumblers as there would be no registering thereof.

In the preferred manipulation resisting lock an improved type of main gating has been provided, and that is by cutting the gatings only part way across the width of the tumblers as will be particularly noted in Fig. 4. This feature provides that there shall always be a continuous circumference except for the small secondary or auxiliary gatings which are not wide enough to receive any large or main fence or other relatively large element therein.

These substantially continuous edges of said tumblers function to prevent the auxiliary fence from becoming caught in the main gatings as the tumblers are revolved. In the circumstance when the tumblers are not in release positions and the auxiliary fence end 63 has dropped part way into auxiliary gating 70 in the driving wheel, it will not drop further as the auxiliary gatings in the tumblers are not in alignment under end 63. Therefore, the auxiliary fence or second part of said control unit will ride on the continuous circumference of one or more of the tumblers until moved out of contact therewith by gating 70 having been passed thereby forcing auxiliary fence to the exterior of said driving wheel.

Detection of the position of one or more main gatings cannot be made by using the auxiliary fence, as that fence can only drop into its own auxiliary gatings as the tumblers at the main gatings have a continuous circumference on which the auxiliary fence engages in the event it is in Ring the circumference of the tumblers.

contact with the tumblers. Thus, the auxiliary fence will pass smoothly over the main gatings without the positions of the main gatings being revealed to a skilled manipulator, even though the auxiliary fence is actually contact- It will be noted that the control unit will hold the fence so that a skilled lock manipulator will be prevented from hearing any sound and feeling any impulse between the fences and tumblers, or between other parts of the lock, that will enable him at any time to note the positions of the gatings in the tumblers.

The preferred structure of the driving wheel, or cam as it is sometimes called, is such that it is of a little larger diameter than the diameters of the tumblers. Should the fence be freed from the oscillating control member 56, for any reason and when not intended, the fence would only ride on the driving wheel and not on the circumferences of the tumblers. The fence can only touch the tumblers when the driving wheel main gating 69 is under the fence. It is usual to have the operating or engaging surfaces of the driving wheel circumference I and of the auxiliary fence 63 coated with a hard chrome. Thus, the engaging parts of the lock are designed to last for the using period or for the life of the lock. It is to be understood that these engaging parts may be constructed of long wearing alloy material when desired.

It is also desired to provide a fence which would be properly received in the main gatings of the tumblers as constructed. Referring to Fig. 11, the fence is shown constructed with fingers 76, 77, 78 and 79. These fingers readily enter the particular main gatings and allow the fence to retract the locking bolt.

It is to be particularly noted in reference to Fig. 12 that the front edges of two fingers 76 and 78 are notched to a greater or less extent relative to each other, as noted at the points 80 and 82. The purpose of so differentially notching the ends of the two fingers is that upon moving the fence out of the gatings so as to move the locking bolt outwardly, the tumblers will be dispersed at different distances from their normal release positions. This, of course, would change the positions of the auxiliary gatings so that the auxiliary fence or end 63 of part 61 of the control unit could not again be moved into its auxiliary gatings and allow the lock to be reopened without going through the full process of resetting the combination by the operator who has full knowledge of the numbers of the combination. Any other person not having knowledge of the numbers of the combination will be forced to try to manipulate the lock to open position. In this type of functioning, it will mean that the instant the locking bolt reaches the full locked or throw position, the bolt cannot be again retracted without dialing the full combination, due to the staggered positions of the tumblers caused by the differently tapered or differently notched ends of the fence or by the different taperings of the edges of the gatings.

Locks previously produced without the improved features of this invention allow the tumblers to remain in combination or release positions for considerable movement of the dial until the alignment of the tumblers has been destroyed. In these previously manufactured locks, it has been found where the dial is of 100 divisions that the dial can be moved as much as divisions before the tumbler gatings alignment has been destroyed.

It will be noted that with the previous locks the skilled manipulator and safe burglar uses the knowledge that these previous locks have the weakness of being able to reinsert the fence and to retract the bolt when it is possible to move the dial up to 90 divisions of a division lock by reason of the fact that the alignment of the tumbler gatings has not been destroyed during any of the 90 division movement of the dial. By the inclusion of the improved invention herein in locks, the tumbler alignment is destroyed the instant the lock bolt has been moved to its full locked position and the movement of one i division moreon the dial destroys: the tumbler :alignment.

While the drawings sh'ow;the..notchingrofitwo of :the fingers intheir front.edges,.it will be understood'that all of the fingers may be notched :to greater or less extent so that the-.tumblers will be dispersed to different distances. Also, While notching is shown, it will be understood thatthe gradual tapering of the fronts of the fingers to different extents or depthsmaybe accomplished to obtain the various distances ofdispersion of the tumblers.

Another means of accomplishing this dispersement of the tumbler by different amounts circumferentially can be accomplished by maintaining the fingers 76 to 79 in their regular construction and by notching or slanting or tapering to some extent the forward'edge of at least one of the gatings in each tumbler by various amounts, one of the-taper type-is shown by dotted line 84 in Fig. 10.

It will be understood that differential tapering or notching of the fingers 76 to 79 and with differential taperings on the main gatings, the desired different distribution of the tumblers will be accomplished a the locking bolt is moved to its locking position.

When both the fingers and main gatings are modified, itwill be noted that such modifying will be only to a slight extent in each instance. However, in locks of this nature, it is usually desired that the length of the main gatings will be minimum and only enough to allow proper movement of the fence and, therefore, it is more desirable to modify the fence.

While the improved structure herein provides for special types of main gatings and slotted fence, it will be understood that the control member may be applied to the type of combination lock where the gatings extend across the full thickness in each of the tumblers and there is a full uninterrupted edge of the fence i. e., no fingers. In a lock of that type there may be provided different tapered, or notched or ground off front sections of the front end of the fence which enters the gatings, thus to obtain irregular dispersions of the tumblers when the fence i moved in moving the bolt to its locking position. Also, in such a type ofstructure, the auxiliary fence may be replaced by another operating part functioning by the driving wheel or other element of the look so as to carry out the missionof oscillating the resilient arm 56.

It will be, particularly noted that the control unit herein incorporated cooperates definitely with the main fence and with the tumblers by the secondary gatings. It will be understoodthatthe control unit may function by tuming the end or hook 59 of the oscillating member to engage a portion of the locking bolt, or suitably engage some other part of the lock, to hold the bolt or the other part so that the fence is definitely held away from the tumblers. Therefore, the control unit is not always required to be in structural engagement with the main fence, but may cooperate with another part of the lock which en gages the fence. The desire of the invention still remains of definitely manitaining the main fence away from the tumblers under certain conditions.

'It is understood that the tumblers may be mounted on the operating shaft in any suitable tightness that permits hand operation, so that the usual fly member'86, Fig. 10, cooperates with pins carried by each of the tumblers, thereby moving them to release positions as is wellknown in the lock structures-now on the market.

Referring again to Fig. the force of moving the locking bolt is derive'dthru gears 24and 27 and a packing or tight fitting collar 85 between the shaft 30 and hub 87 of the fence. This tight collar allow a certain resistance slippage that gives movement to the fence after the tumblershave been brought to release positions to thereby move thefence into the gatings and allow the locking bolt to be retracted.

It'will benoted fromithe foregoing descriptionsthat the skilled manipulator will be defeatedin trying todetermine the combination of thelock. 'lThisdefeatingis usually derived' from having a simple 'type'of structure cooperating with some of the various elements of the tumblers have attained their respective release gating positions and are aligned under this designed part by the manual operation of the dial'from the outside. In such an aligning and as the auxiliary gating in the driving wheel aligns with the gatings in the tumblers, then this designed part of the control unit enter the tumblers and in so functionnig releases another part of the lock that is holding the main fence and the main fence'may move into the main gatings and open the lock.

A novel control unit herein provided is so constructed and so arranged to operate with the various parts of the lock that it performs its mission without trouble and automatically. Should, however, any part of this control unit become disengaged or interrupted or destroyed for any reason, the lock may still perform its locking function. Therefore, the control unit from a practical .point of view, has been found to be most acceptable in this lock industry.

The structures of the parts of the preferred lock herein have been constructed so that they will not give way or be worn to any material extent that would in any way affect their functioning.

it will be understood that various modifications and changes may be made in the preferred form of the invention herein, and such modifications and changes are-to be understood as part of this invention, as outlined in the following claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a lock of the combination type, a series of tumblers each having therein a main gating and an auxiliary gating, means for rotating said tumblers to'align saidrnain gatings, a fence arranged to enter saidmain gatings, control means for holding said fencefromienter ing said main gatings, said control means having a por-- tion for extending into the auxiliary gatings of: said tumblers for releasing said fence to enter said'main gatings.

2. In a lock of the combination typehaving a-series of. tumblers with two sets of gatings therein, amain. fence, means for rotating said tumblers and moving said fence, a control unit assembled in said lock to have; part of said unit engage said fence and part to'engage said tumblers, said control unit being pivoted between its extreme ends and having its ends biased against saidifence and said tumblers respectively, said control unit acting automatically when one end thereof enters gatings in said tumblers to move the other end to free it from' holding said fence in a predetermined position and to thereby permit said fence to enter other gatings.

3. In a lock of the combination type having a. series of tumblers with two sets of gatings therein, a main fence, means for rotatingsaid tumblers andmoving said fence, a control unit having therein two parts, onepart biased to-engage said fence and the other .part biased to engage said tumblers, said parts cooperating to have one,

' part engage and hold said fence in definite positionaway from said tumblers and to have the other. Part, biased toward said tumblers and movable into one setof gatingsfrom its engagement from said fence for allowing said fence to move into the other set of gatings.

4. In a combination lock, series of tumblers therein, a shaft for operating said tumblers, a fence for engaging said tumblers when they are set in predetermined combination positions, said tumblers having gatings therein, each of said gatings at a corresponding edge thereof having a tapered side of different taper angle than that formed in the corresponding edge of the adjacent tumbler thereby being dispersed from their release positions to different distances when said fence is moved out of said gatings to extend the locking bolt to locking position.

5. In a combination lock, a series of tumblers each provided with a main gating, a fence for moving into said gatings when said tumblers are in release position, the front end of said fence being tapered at different angles to engage the side edges of said gatings in said tumblers to move them different distances from their normal release positions when said fence moves out of said gatings thereby to disperse said tumblers to different distances from the combination setting.

6. In a lock of the combination type, a series of tumblers therein, a driving wheel moved by an operating shaft for adjusting said tumblers to release positions, said tumblers having main gatings therein, a fence for engaging said main gatings, auxiliary gatings in said tumblers, a control unit of a plurality of parts mounted to have the ends thereof engage said fence and said tumblers respectively for maintaining said fence in a predetermined position and for extending into said auxiliary gatings respectively, said driving wheel maintaining a part of said control unit away from said tumblers except when moving fully into a secondary gating in said driving wheel, said part of said control unit acting when in said tumbler auxiliary gatings and in said auxiliary gating in said driving wheel to release the other part of said control unit to thereby release said fence to allow the same to move the locking bolt.

7. In a lock of the combination type, a series of tumblers havingmain gatings therein extending only part way across the width of each tumbler and having a series of small shallow auxiliary gatings extending the full width of each of said tumblers, a fence for extending and retracting a locking bolt, a projection on said fence, a control unit having an oscillating part for definitely engaging said fence projection to hold said fence out of contact with said tumblers, said control unit having a second part for extending into the auxiliary gatings in said tumblers, said control unit being mounted in said lock between the free end of said oscillating part and the end of said second part, said oscillating part being automatically released from said fence projection when said second part is received in said auxiliary gatings.

8. In a lock of the combination type, a series of tumblers having main gatings therein extending only part way across the width of each tumbler and having a series of small shallow auxiliary gatings extending the full Width of each of said tumblers, a fence for extending and retracting a locking bolt, a projection on said fence, a control unit having an oscillating part for definitely engaging said fence projection to hold said fence out of contact with said tumblers, said control unit having a second part much shorter in length and biased by a spring toward said tumblers, said oscillating part and said second part both being mounted on the same pivot and biased by springs to have said second part automatically move into said auxiliary gatings when said tumblers are in release position and positively acting to move said oscillating part away from said projection on said fence to allow the fence to move into said main gatings.

9. In a lock of the combination type, a series of tumblers having main gatings therein extending only part way across the width of. each tumbler and having rotating said tumblers, said driving wheel having a main gatingand an auxiliary gating, a main fence for extending and retracting a locking bolt, a projection on said fence, an oscillating part pivoted in said lock and provided with a hook to engage said fence projection on said main fence to maintain said fence in a position out of contact with said tumblers, an auxiliary fence pivotally mounted in said lock and cooperating with said oscillating part for positively moving the same when said auxiliary fence is received in auxiliary gatings in said tumblers when they regster together and with said auxiliary gating in said drive wheel.

10. In a combination lock, :1 series of tumblers having main and auxiliary gatings therein, operating means for rotating said tumblers, a main fence for engaging and moving a locking bolt and having extensions for entering said main gatings, a control member having a portion thereof for engaging a part of said lock which maintains said fence out of contact with said tumblers until tumbler release positions are attained, and an auxiliary fence cooperating with said control member for automatically moving said control member when said auxiliary fence is received in said auxiliary gatings to thereby release said main fence.

11. In a combination lock, a series of tumblers having main and auxiliary gatings therein, a driving wheel for rotating said tumblers, said driving wheel having a main gating and an auxiliary gating having a cam entrance and a cam exit, said driving wheel being of larger diameter than said tumblers, a main fence for engaging and moving a locking bolt and having extensions for entering said main gatings, an oscillating control member for engaging a part of said lock under certain conditions to maintain said main fence out of contact with said tumblers, an auxiliary fence biased to ride on said driving wheel and arranged to move in and out of the cam type auxiliary gating therein, said auxiliary fence when received by the auxiliary gatings in said tumblers and in said auxiliary gating in said driving Wheel automatically acting to move said oscillating control member to free said main fence to be moved into said main gatings of said tumblers. i

12. In a combination lock, a series of tumblers having gatings therein, a shaft for rotating said tumblers, the gating in each tumbler extending only part way across the width of said tumbler, a fence provided with fingers to enter said gatings when said tumblers have been moved to predetermined release positions, operating means cooperating with said shaft for moving said fence into said gatings when the combination has been set, the front edges of said fingers being tapered at different angles to thereby disperse said tumblers different distances from their normal release positions when said fence is moved out of said gating.

13. In a lock of the combination type, a series of tumblers each having at least one gating therein, means for rotating said tumblers, a fence constructed. and mounted to enter the gatings, a two-part control unit for cooperating with said fence, the first part of said control unit engaging said fence under predetermined conditions to prevent said fence from being moved into the gatings, the second part of said control unit mounted to have a limited flexible movement with said first part of said unit and being responsive to a depressed part of a tumbler of said lock for a predetermined distance that will allow said first part of said unit to move out of engagement with said fence to thereby allow the fence to be moved into said gatings.

14. In a combination lock, 2. series of tumblers with gatings therein, an operating shaft, a driving member afiixed to said shaft and cooperating to move said tumblers at predetermined times, said driving member having a diameter greater than the diameter of any of said tumblers, a fence for moving a locking bolt of said lock and to be moved into said gatings when the release combination has been set, said fence being'moved by said operating shaft into said gatings and to retract said locking bolt and thereafter to move said locking bolt to locked position and to move said fence out of said gatings and out of contact with said tumblers, means for maintaining said fence from engaging said tumblers until said tumblers are again moved into release combination positions, the moving of said operating shaft causing the moving of said fence, said driving member having a hump for positively moving said fence away from said tumblers after said bolt has been moved to its locking position.

15. In a combination lock, a series of tumblers with gatings therein, an operating shaft, a driving member affixed to said shaft and cooperatingto move said tumblers at predetermined times, said driving member having a diameter greater than the diameter of any of said tumblers and having a hump thereon, a fence for moving a lock bolt of said lock and to be moved into said gatings in said tumblers by operating said shaft when the combination of the lock is set, a control unit having an oscillating member biased to engage said fence and to positively hold it in a predetermined position after said hump has oscillated said fence to move it out of contactwith said tumblers, auxiliary gatings in said tumblers, an auxiliary fence incorporated in said control unit and biased to drop into said auxiliary gatings when said tumbler combination has been set, biasing means for forcing said auxiliary fence into said auxiliary gatings and for causing said oscillating member to release said first fence to be moved by said driving member.

16. In a lock of the combination type, aseries of tumblers each having at least one gating therein, means for rotating said tumblers, a fence constructed and arranged to enter said gatings, an operating shaft for moving said fence under predetermined conditions, a control unit having a part thereof engaging said fence to normally so hold it when not in said gatings and out of contact with said tumblers to prevent a skilled lock manipulator from hearing any sound and feeling any impulse between said fence and said tumblers when the latter are rotated that would. enable said manipulator to determine the positions of gatingsin the tumblers at any time, a second part of said control unit movable for a limited distance relative to said fence engagementpart, spring means mounted in said control unit to normally bias said first fence engaging part toits fence engaging position, auxiliary gatings in said tumblers, and an auxiliary fence for always engaging the peripheries of said tumblers and only moving into said auxiliary gatings when said release combination is set, said auxiliary fence when in said auxiliary gatings allowing said spring means to act to move said first fence engaging part out of engagement with said fence to free said fence to be moved into said gatings by the movement of said operating shaft.

17. In a combination look, a locking bolt, a series of tumblers having gatings therein, operating means for rotating said tumblers, a fence for engaging and moving said locking bolt and for entering said gatings, means for moving said fence from out of said gatings and out of contact with the circumferences of said tumblers, a member mounted near said tumblers and constructed to move into contact with said fence to positively maintain the same away from touching said tumblers except when said gatings are aligned with said fence, resilient means engaging one portion of said member to normally bias it into holding contact with said fence, a spring biased element movably mounted near said member, and an ear carried by said element and, engaging another portion of said member during its fence holding period and automatically operating to push said member out of fence 12 holding position only when said gatings are aligned with said fence.

18. In a lock of the combination type, a series of tumblers each having a main gating and an auxiliary gating therein, means for rotating said tumblers, a fence constructed and mounted to oscillate in and out of said main gatings, said fence having a series of fingers for entering said gatings, a two-part control unit cooperating to hold the fingers of said fence normally out of contact with said tumblers until the combination is set, the first part mounted to engage said fence under predetermined conditions, the second part of said control unit movably cooperating with said first part for temporarily maintaining said first part of the control unit in engagement with said fence for keeping said fence from engaging said tumblers to an extent that Would enable a skilled manipulator to determine the positions of the gatings in said tumblers, said second part having a portion thereof for extending into said auxiliary gatings in the said tumblers when the combination is set, and resilient means engaging both of said parts of said control unit for operating them when said second part moves into said auxiliary gatings in said tumblers to thereby have said first part become disengaged from said fence and allow said fence to move into said gatings.

19. In a lock of the combination type, a series of tumblers each having at least one gating therein, each of said gatings extending only part of the distance across the width of the circumference of each tumbler, means for rotating said tumblers, a fence constructed and mounted to oscillate into said gatings under predetermined arrangement of said tumblers and to thereafter move the bolt of said lock, a control member for engaging said fence when it has been moved out of said gatings to normally hold it out of engagement with the circumference of said tumblers, and means on said tumblers for operating said control member.

20. In a combination lock, a locking bolt, a series of tumblers having gatings therein, operating means for rotating said tumblers, a fence for engaging and moving said locking bolt and for entering said gatings, means for moving said fence from out of said gatings and out of contact with the circumference of said tumblers, a member mounted near said tumblers and constructed to move into contact with said fence to positively maintain the same away from touching said tumblers except when said gatings are aligned with said fence, resilient means engaging one portion of said member to normally bias it into holding contact with said fence, an element movably mounted near said member, and a part carried by said element and engaging another portion of said member during its fence holding period and controlled by said tumblers to operate to push said member out of fence holding position only when said gatings are aligned with said fence.

21. A combination device comprising movably mountted tumblers having alinable gates; a fence movable into said gates when alined to receive the fence; and a member movably mounted to releasably hold the fence from the tumblers and controlled by the cooperation of all the tumblers to move to release the fence only when the gates are alined to receive the fence.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 132,936 Sullivan Nov. 12, 1872 613,585 Miner Nov. 1, 1898 821,548 Streeter'et al. May 22, 1906 1,847,071 Doenges Mar. 1, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS 104,305 Australia July 7, 1938 

